“Business needs diverse voices around the table in order to have robust and healthy discussions, and the Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue will be an integral part of Mathison Hall for our students and for the business community”
Jim Dewald
Dean, of Haskayne School of Business
Mathison Hall, a second building devoted to the Haskayne School of Business, is set to open its doors in late 2022 and will nearly double the school’s footprint with 10,000 m2 of extra space in addition to its current home, Scurfield Hall. The new student-centered learning environment will feature 12 classrooms and multiple spaces for students to learn, meet, and work — all of which are critical in supporting the growth of the school’s programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Floating in the center of Mathison Hall will be a unique and architecturally-stunning space — a circular 84-person room that reimagines the classroom experience — that will bring people together for important discussions, lessons, and gatherings. It will become an instantly recognizable destination and will be in high demand as a classroom, governance meeting room, and gathering space.
This striking round room will be called the Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue, named in recognition of our support for the Haskayne Capital Expansion Project and the construction of Mathison Hall.
Our very own Susan and Mac Van Wielingen, the founder of Viewpoint Group, have made the Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue possible through their incredible $2-million gift. Mac Van Wielingen says the gift will support ethical leadership and organizational effectiveness.
“We see leadership ethics and effectiveness as critical fundamentals for organizational and institutional success. Ethical leadership requires the receiving, holding, and exploring of multiple and often opposing perspectives. The circular design of the room captures the spirit of intention to hear and comprehend perspectives from diverse backgrounds and different positions. This design will help participants to reach new understanding, to have higher levels of trust, and to support a higher probability of successful decisions and effective actions”
Mac Van Wielingen
Founder of Viewpoint Group
The Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue will be about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. It has ventilation to allow for Indigenous smudging ceremonies and was designed to be transparent, flexible, and open for many uses.
In 2012 we also made a gift to the University of Calgary to create the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business. Viewpoint has given more than $7 million to the university and has inspired other Calgary business leaders to donate another $10 million to support mentorship, adventure education, and leadership initiatives at Haskayne.
“The legacy of Viewpoint Foundation and the Van Wielingen family will be long-lasting and impactful. Mac and Susan have been incredible supporters of the Haskayne School of Business through the years and I am awed by their continual support, inspired by their vision, and more than anything I am so very thankful to them for supporting our students today and for generations to come.”
Jim Dewald
Dean, of Haskayne School of Business
Viewpoint Foundation’s $2M gift contributes to the $40 million fundraising goal for the Haskayne Capital Expansion Project. Having raised over $30 million to date, the school is seeking another $10 million of philanthropic support to achieve its goal for the $90-million Mathison Hall.
Visit HaskayneExpansion.ca to learn more about Mathison Hall and the Haskayne Expansion Project.